Gas-meter.



C. W. & W. H. HINIVIAN.

GAS METER. APPLICATION man APR. 21. 191s.

Patented Apr. 3,1917.

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GAS METER. APPLICATION FILED APR. 27. 1916- 1,2%,1 m. Patented Apr. 3, 1917.

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C. W. & W. H. HINMAN. GAS METER. APPLICATION mso mm1. 191s.

Patented Apr. 3, 1917.

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C. W. H. HNMAN. GAS METER. APPLICATION FILED APR. 2. 1915.

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vSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 3, 1917..

Application led April 27, 1916. Serial No. 93,874.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that we, CHARLES W. Hin- '2 y, scription of the invention such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it apl pertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to gas-station meters of the class commonly known as wet meters. The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of the type of meter disclosed in the prior Patents No. 638,457, and No. 638,458, granted December 5, 1899, with a view to rendering the same of greater strength and rigidity, reducing the energy required for operation, and increasing both the cubical capacity and the speed of rotation and consequently the measuring capacity.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear from the following description, the present invention consists of the devices' and combinations of devices hereinafter de* scribed, and more particularly defined in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate what is now considered the preferred form of the present invention, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal lsection of our improved meter; Fig. 2 is an oblique perspective of the revolving drum, with a portion of the shell broken away and other parts omitted for the sake of clearness; Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section on line 3 8 of Fig. 1, with the diagonal braces which extend toward the outlet end of the drum omitted; Fig. 4 is an end elevation on a reduced scale of the outlet or left-hand end of the revolving drum, as sho-wn in Fig. 1; and

3 Fig. 5 is a perspective of one of the division walls and end walls connected therewith.

The improved gas meter illustrated in the drawings comprises a stationary cylindrical casing 1 having at one end the axial gas inlet pipe or dry-well 2 and the outlet pipe 3 near the periphery. It is provided in its interior with the bearings 4 for the shaft 5 of the revolving measuring drum, the greater part of which is submerged beneath the water which fills the casing 1 to a level slightly below the upturned end of the inlet pipe 2, as indicated in Fig. 1.

The revolving drum comprises the cylindrical shell 7 provided on its interior with division walls to form the measuring compartments or pockets, and is rigidly supported upon the shaft by means shortly to be described.

The division walls, of which there are four in the meter illustrated in the drawings, are composed of a plurality of sections, as shownbest in Fig. 5, the alternate sections, such as 8, 9, and 10, being angularly disposed with relation each to the other with the middle. section 9 co-planar with the axis, and the end sections parallel to the axis. Adjacent and between these sections are other sections 11, 12, 13, and 14, all oblique to the axis of the drum, and angularly arranged with relation to each other. Extending along the inner edges of the sections 8, 9, and 10 is the radial portion 15, lwhich is coi-planar lwith the axis of the drum and with the section 9. l1`he inneredge of this radial portion never rises above the level of the water in the casing, its highest position being as shown in Fig. 1.

The inlet end of the division wall is provided with theV end wall 16 which is nearly perpendicular to the axis of the drum and is connected with the inlet end section 14 of the division wall by the curved section 17. The end wall 16 is provided with the right angle portions 18 and 19 parallel-to the axis of the drum which form the internal walls or partitions of one of the pockets 2'0 which surround the dry well;7 as shown in Fig. 1.

rllhe outlet end of the division wall is pro vided with the perpendicular end wall 21 connected to the outlet end section 11 of the division wall by the curved section 22.

The inlet and-outlet end walls extend at substantially right angles to one another, the advancing edge 28 of the inlet end wall 16 of one partition or division overlapping the curved connecting section 17 of the division wall next in advance in the direction of rotation of the drum, thus forming between the edge and the section a long portfor the entrance of gas into the measuring compartment as the inlet end wall rises above the water level. In a similar manner the following edge 24 of the outlet section 21 overlaps the curved connecting section 22 of the next following division wall, to form the the drum out into the casing after the inlet end wall has dipped 'below the water level to close the inlet port.

The inlet end of the drum is closed, except for the axial opening for the inlet pipe, by the head or disk 26 connected with the shell 7 and the portions 18 and 19 extending from the inlet end wall 16, the outer portion of the head or disk thus closing the side of the pockets Q() in the inlet end of each measuring compartment, while the inner portion forms the side wall of the inlet chamber into which the gas is delivered from the pipe 2 and from which the gas passes into the measuring compartments successively as their respective inlet ports rise above the Water level. Y

The cylindrical shell with its division and end walls is supported as follows: Fixed upon the shaft 5 at or near each end of the drum is a hub 30 having an octagonal pe` riphery and the four spokes 31 extending radially therefrom. Rigidly secured toV these spokes are the radial angle iron arms or supports 32, which at their outer ends are attached to an angle iron ring 33 on the inner surface of the shell, there being a coperating flat ring 34 on the outer surface of the shell. Rivets or other securing means passing through the rings and the shell hold the parts securely together. The radial arms 32 are further supported each by a short inclined brace 35, also formed of angle iron, and extending tangentially from the periphery of the hub 30 to the radial arm 32.

The middle of the drum or shell is supported from an intermediate hub 36 like the end hubs 30, having the same radial spokes 37, angle iron arms 3S, and tangential braces 39, and the shell being provided with the internal angle iron ring 40, and external flat f ring 41. The radial arms 38 lie in the plane of the middle section 9 of the division'walls, and also of the inner section 15, being secured to said sections by riveting or in other suitable manner.

rlhe drum or shell is further supported by Vmeans of the diagonal braces 42 of angle iron, extending from the middle or intermediate hub 36 to the angle iron rings 33 at eachend of the drum. These diagonal braces are secured to the flat faces on the hub and are so arranged that each brace supports one of the sections 8 or 10 of the division walls, being riveted thereto.

, In orderto increase the gas space in the casingabove the water level without increasing the size of the casing', the bearings 4 are eccentrically located in the casing, being slightly lowered, as shown in Fig. 1, so that the periphery of the revolving drum comes nearer to the bottom of the casing than it vdoes to the top.

The mode of operation of our improved meter is like that described in the prior patents above referred to, the gas entering through the inlet pipe or dry well7 from which it passes into the inlet chamber and thence into each measuring compartment or pocket formed between the adjacent division walls of the revolving drum as the inlet port rises above the water. The pressure of the gas on the leading wall of the compartment causes the drum to revolve until the compartment is entirely above the water level except the inner edge of the long radial section of the wall. The compartment is now completely filled with gas and as the drum continues to revolve the inlet port is carried beneath the water level, after which the outlet port rises, permitting the gas to escape through the outlet port into the gas space between the drum and the casing and to iiow back toward the inlet end to the outlet pipe 3.

y The cubical capacity of the compartments being known, it is only necessary to count the number of revolutions of the drum to measure the gas passing through the meter and this registering can be done by any suitable devices.

By forming the divsion walls of a plurality of differently inclined sections with their inner edges inline and substantially parallel to the axis of the drum, and with intermediate'or adjacent sections obliquely inclined to the axis, and to one another, a wall is provided which, approximating a spiral on its outer portions, not only imparts a high degree of strength and rigidity to the drum, but also offers a minimum of resistance as it enters or leaves the water, thus reducing the power required to force the division walls through the water and permitting a higher rotative speed with corresponding increase in measuring capacity without danger of distortion or damage to the drum. These are matters of importance as meters of this type are of large size, up to sixteen or more feet in diameter, and have to operate under a very low pressure of gas, say ten to twenty inches of water gage, with not over four inches of absorbed pressure.

The provision of the radial portion or section extending substantially the length of the wall is also a feature of advantage as it imparts additional strength and rigidity to the walls and increases the effective measur ing capacity of each compartment or pocket.

The method of supporting and bracing the drum is also a feature of the present invention as it affords a light, strong, and rigid structure which holds the drum firmly in shape, permitting lighter weights and higher rotative speeds than have been possible with prior constructions.

Inour improved meter owing to the use of the internal angle iron ring and the external flat ring and tothe greater strength and rigidity of the revolving drum, lessclearance has to be provided between the shellV Having 'thus described the present invention, what is claimed is:

l. In a gas meter the combination with a stationary casing of a revolving drum comprising a cylindrical shell having internal division walls, each wall comprising a plurality of alternate sections angularly disposed with relation to one another, and having their inner edges parallelv to the axis of the drum, and a plurality of adjacent sections each being obliquely disposed relatively to the axis and to the other sections, and means for rotatably supporting the drum in the casing.

2. In a gas meter the combination with a stationary casing of a revolving drum comprising a cylindrical shell havingi internal division walls, each wall comprising a Vplurality of outer sections angularly disposed one to another, and an inner section parallel to the axis and extending substantially the length of the wall, and means for rotatably supporting the drum in the casing.V

3. Ina gas meter the combination with a stationary casing of a` revolving drum comprising a cylindrical shell having internal division walls, each wall comprising a plurality of outer sections angularly disposed one to another, and an inner section extending substantially the length of the wall, and means for rotatably supporting the drumin the casino'.r

et. In a gas meter the combination with a stationary casing of a revolving drum comprising a cylindrical shell having internal division Walls, each wall comprising a plurality of outer sections angularly disposed each to the others, and an inner plane section located in the plane of the. axis and extending` substantially the length of the wall, and being co-planar with one of the outer sections, and means for rotatably supporting the drum in the casing, Y

5. In a gas meter the combination with aV static-nary casing of a revolving drum comprising a cylindrical shellhaving internal division walls, each wallcomprising plurality of outer plane sections angularly disposed to one another, and parallel to the axis of the drum, adjacent outer plane sections each obliquely disposed to the axis and to the other sections, and an inner plane section coi-planar with the axis and extending substantially'the length of the wall, and means for rotatably supporting the drum in the casing.

6. In a gas meter the combination with a stationary casing of a drum mounted to revolve therein and comprising a cylindrical shell having internal division walls, a shaft, a hub secured to the shaft, arms extending from the hub to the shell, and braces extending tangentially from the hub to the arms at points between the inner and outer edges of the division walls.

7. In a gas meter the combination with a stationary casing of a drinn mounted to revolve therein and comprising a cylindrical shell, a shaft, a hub secured to the shaft, spokes formed integrally with the hub and extendingradially therefrom, arms secured to the spokes and extending radially to the shell, and braces from the hub to the arms.

8. In a gas meter the combination with a stationary Vcasing of a drum mounted to revolve therein and comprising a cylindrical shell, a shaft, a hub secured to the shaft, arms extending from the hub, a ringon the inner surface of the shell and attached to the outer ends of the arms, a ring on the outer surface of the shell opposite the iirst mentioned ring, and means for securing the rings together with the shell between them. 9. In a gas meter the combination with a Vstationary casing of a drum mounted to revolve therein and comprising a` cylindrical shell, a shaft, a hub secured to the shaft between the ends of the drum, arms extending radially and diagonally from the hub to the drum, partition walls within the drum having a plurality of plane sections angularly arranged with respect to each other and parallel to the axis of the drum, certain of the sections being co-plaiiar with and secured to said radial and diagonal arms.

10. In a gas meter the combination with a stationary casing of a drum mounted to revolve therein and comprising a cylindrical shell, a shaft, a hub secured to the shaft between the ends of the drum, arms extending radially and diagonally from the hub to the drum, and rings on the shell to which the arms are secured.

1l. In a gas meter the combination with a stationary casing of a revolving drum coinprising a cylindrical shell having internal division walls a shaft u non which the drinn n 7 u is mounted, and bearings for the shaft eccentrically mounted with respect to the cas- A ing to bring the Vdruinnearer to the bottom Vofthe casing than to the top.

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i Y divisionv'vvalls,V each/*Wall comprising a plurality of sections having their end edges converging inthe direction from the aXis of -the drum Vtoward the periphery, and a pludirection, and means for Ying the drum 1n the casing.

rality of intermediate sections located alternately between the outer sections, and angularly disposed 'with relation thereto, and

having their endedges'diverging in the said rotatably support- 13. In a gas meterthe combination With a Stationary casing-` of a revolving drum ci mounted to revolve therein7 and comprising opiesV of this patent maybe obtained for a cylindrical shell, a shaft, a hub between the ends of the drum having a polygonal periphery, partition Walls Within the drum having a plurality of sections angularly a1- ranged With respect toieach other, certain of the sections being co-planar With certain of the faces on the periphery of the hub, and diagonal braces secured togsuch cO-planar faces on the' hub and sections of partition Walls.

CHARLES W. HINMAN. W. HIBBARD HINMAN. Y

ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner'fof Patents,

- Washington, D. C. 

